5012            ALASKA RESIDENCY

To be eligible for Medicaid or Denali KidCare, an individual must be a resident of Alaska.  This section explains the state residency requirements of Medicaid, including Denali KidCare.

5012 A.       DEFINITION OF ALASKA RESIDENCY

For the purpose of Medicaid, an Alaska resident is an individual who:

1. Lives in Alaska voluntarily and has made a home in the state or has the intention of making a home in the state; and
    

2. Is not in Alaska for a temporary reason such as a vacation or a business trip.

If Alaska residency is already established and the individual is living in Alaska at the time of application, that individual's residency continues until he or she abandons it.

Children are considered residents of the state if their caretaker relative is a resident, even if they normally reside with another caretaker relative living outside of the State of Alaska for a portion, or even a majority of the year.

Note:  

Some individuals, such as migrant workers, may enter the State because of a job commitment or to seek employment.  These individuals are considered Alaska residents if they live in Alaska at the time of application and are not receiving public assistance or other benefits based on state residency from another state.

5012 B.       TEMPORARY ABSENCE AND RESIDENTS RESIDING OUT OF THE STATE

Medicaid may not be denied or terminated because an individual is temporarily absent from the state if that individual intends to return to the state when the purpose of the absence has been accomplished, unless another state has determined that the individual is a resident for purposes of receiving Medicaid.

Note:

Even though an Alaska Medicaid recipient is temporarily absent from the state, Medicaid will only pay for services provided out of state if they are prior authorized by First Health Services, and the out-of-state provider is enrolled in the Alaska Medicaid program.

A temporary absence from the state before or after submitting an application, but before eligibility is determined, does not constitute abandonment of residency if the absence occurred for a specific purpose that did not involve an intent to change residence and the individual has a plan to return to Alaska at a future date.

Evaluate residency status when questionable.  Consider the following:

• Reason for the absence;
   

• Duration and frequency of absence;
   

• Where personal and household possessions are kept;
   

• Where the individual votes or pays resident taxes;
   

• Place of employment; and
   

• Any other factors that would establish a place of residency.

For an individual who moves out of Alaska permanently, close the case with timely adverse action.  

5012 C.       VERIFICATION OF RESIDENCY

A verbal statement from the individual is sufficient to document his or her intent unless there is conflicting information.  The caseworker may require applicants or recipients to provide proof of Alaska residency if there is reason to doubt their state residency.  Items that can be used to prove state residency include, but are not limited to:  rent receipts, utility bills, in-state school tuition, current driver’s license, current voter’s registration card, city directory, and statements from other individuals who are aware of the client’s situation.  

5012 D.       PERMANENT ADDRESS NOT REQUIRED

An applicant or recipient is not required to have a permanent address as a condition of eligibility.  If an applicant or recipient does not have a permanent address, provisions must be made to assure the person receives their Medicaid coupons.  The recipient should be given a choice of an alternate mailing address for their Medicaid coupons.

5012 E.       OUT-OF-STATE INDIVIDUAL MOVES TO ALASKA

When an individual has received benefits in another state prior to applying in Alaska, verify termination of benefits in the other state before establishing eligibility for Alaska benefits.

Alaska Medicaid benefits may not be issued to a person who has been issued Medicaid benefits in another state in the same month, except if the following conditions are met:

1. The other state was unable to or did not stop the benefit issuance before the individual arrived in this state; and
    

2. The applicant did not use the benefits issued from the other state to pay for any medical services provided in the month.

5012 F.       OUT-OF-STATE PLACEMENT IN A MEDICAL INSTITUTION

If a state agency, such as Office of Children’s Services (OCS), places an individual in an out-of-state medical institution or foster care setting, that individual is considered to be an Alaska resident, except for Title IV-E individuals (see Section 5460).   If the recipient leaves the medical institution or foster care setting (and legal custody) of the state, the state of residence, for Medicaid purposes, is the state where the individual is physically located.  

If the recipient leaves an out-of-state medical institution, but remains out of state temporarily for follow up or transitional care, that individual is considered only to be temporarily absent and remains a resident of Alaska as long as the treatment plan calls for the individual to return to Alaska.